The Evolved Nest

A fascinating look into nurturing and parenting in the natural world, supplemented with original illustrations

For readers of Becoming Animal and World of Wonders

A beautiful resource for Nature advocates, parents-to-be, Animal lovers, and anyone who seeks to restore wellbeing on our planet, The Evolved Nest reconnects us to lessons from the Animal world and shows us how to restore wellness in our families, communities, and lives.

Each of 10 chapters explores a different animal’s parenting model, sharing species-specific adaptations that allow each to thrive in their “evolved nests.” You’ll learn:

How Wolves build an internal moral compassHow Beavers foster a spirit of play in their childrenHow Octopuses develop emotional and social intelligenceHow, when, and whether (or not) Brown Bears decide to have childrenWhat their lessons can teach you--whether you’re a parent, grandparent, caregiver, or childfree

Psychologists Drs. Darcia Narvaez and Gay Bradshaw show us how each evolved nest offers inspiration for reexamining our own systems of nurturing, understanding, and caring for our young and each other. Alongside beautiful illustrations, stunning scientific facts, and lessons in neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary biology, we learn to care deeper: to restore our innate place within the natural world and fight for an ecology of life that supports our flourishing in balance with Nature alongside our human and non-human family.

About the Author

DARCIA NARVAEZ is a Professor of Psychology Emerita at the University of Notre Dame and founder of The Evolved Nest Initiative, focused on developing appropriate baselines for lifelong human wellness by meeting the biological needs of infants. Dr. Narvaez is the author or editor of over twenty books and dozens of articles. G.A. BRADSHAW is the founder and director of The Kerulos Center for Nonviolence. Her diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder in free-living elephants launched the field of trans-species psychology. She holds doctorate degrees in ecology and psychology and a master’s in geophysics and was a Fellow at the National Science Foundation National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis.

Author Residence: South Bend, IN; Jacksonville, OR

Author Hometown: Minneapolis, MN; Portland, OR